RESCUED hens at Clynfyw care farm, near Boncath, are benefitting from some chicken knitting as wonderful woollies replace their feathers with yarn.

The rescued birds sometimes arrive at Clynfyw looking rather hen pecked with missing feathers, a result of living in close confinement with their battery egg laying peers.

The knitted hen tabards, created by Pembrokeshire Community Connectors knit and natter groups, protect the featherless fowls from being bullied and pecked by their peers once they are taken into Clynfyw.

"Many people like knitting but don't have anyone to knit for, their families have grown up," said Gwyneth, PAVS community connector team leader, "so we gave the group a few ideas to knit.

"The hen jumpers appealed to many, so we contacted Clynfyw Care Farm as they take in rescue battery hens and distribute them to volunteer families. The knitted jumpers are given to hens that don't have feathers in order to protect them from being pecked by other hens."

Clynfyw Care Farm works with the British Hen Welfare Trust as their west Wales distribution point.

"Some of the hens that come to us are nearly bald," said Jim Bowen, Clynfyw manager. "Some are scared to go outside and some have claws so long they can barely walk.

"The tabards can be life savers. They keep the birds warm, especially in the cold weather, until their feathers grow back."

Community connectors act to connect people to services and activities in Pembrokeshire, linking in with libraries, village halls. The connectors will help to get the group started through social media, posters and offering support with a start-up pack of tea and coffee.

The groups are for people who want to socialise, chat and are an opportunity to make new friends, share ideas and skills. In the knit and natter groups some members crochet, some knit, and everyone is welcome.

The groups meet in Pembroke Dock Library on Monday afternoon, Pembroke on Tuesday mornings and Neyland on Tuesday afternoons.

A Letterston group will start in the village's memorial hall, on September 20, at 2pm.

For more information contact Gwyneth on 07595 192 932.